NASA Selects Lincoln Student for Research Fellowship

University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctoral student Truman Stoller receives a competitive national grant for space tech research.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Scholarships

NASA Selects Lincoln Student for Research Fellowship

Live Poll

Should government research funding prioritize developing new space technologies over improving current consumer electronics cooling?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln mechanical engineering student Truman Stoller has been awarded a 2026 Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities Fellowship. The prestigious grant from NASA supports his innovative research into advanced cooling systems for spacecraft.

Why it matters

The fellowship provides essential funding to develop wickless heat pipes that could significantly reduce the size, weight, and power consumption of spacecraft electronics. Improving cooling efficiency is critical for sustaining powerful systems in extreme space environments.

The fellowship provides $250,000 in support over three years and includes 10-week summer placements at NASA facilities. This award marks the third time a student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has earned this specific honor.

The players

Truman Stoller

He is a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a recipient of a 2026 NASA fellowship.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

This is a public research university that serves as the home institution for Truman Stoller's doctoral work.

NASA

The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.

The details

Stoller is developing a wickless heat pipe design that uses laser-processed surface features to induce super-wicking behavior. By relying on a cycle of evaporation and condensation rather than mechanical pumps, his design aims to maximize heat transfer efficiency.

2014: Corey Kruse received the NASA fellowship.
2021: Logan Pettit received the NASA fellowship.
2026: Truman Stoller received the NASA fellowship.

Culture Shift

The NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities Fellowship represents a strategic investment in the next generation of aerospace engineers by funding high-risk, high-reward academic work. This program follows the established pattern of integrating university research directly into national space agency infrastructure.

This award highlights the ongoing presence of high-level aerospace research within Lincoln, reinforcing the academic prestige of the local engineering community. Students pursuing similar technical fields may find increased institutional support following consistent recognition from federal agencies.

The takeaway

Advanced research into wickless cooling systems illustrates how specific design innovations can solve major engineering challenges in space flight. Aspiring graduate researchers can look to this fellowship as a model for translating theoretical mechanical engineering concepts into funded national projects.